Metallic tread for pneumatic tires.



M. 0. ST. JOHN. METALLIC TREAD FOB PNEUMATIC TIRES. APPLICATION FILED DEC. 20, 1906.

909,475. Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

v NK 9 Jar/e for:

MILES 0. er. JOEIN, or on'foaeo, ILLINOIS.

METALLIC TREAD FOR PNEUMATIC TIRES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patnted Jan. 12, 1909.

Application filed December 20, .1906. Serial mi. spasm.

tire from injury hyreason of puncture or the like.

The invention is, furthermore, designed to prevent the the from sli ping when in use,

and to preserve the res -enoy of said tire. I attain this result by constructing'my device in the manner described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification.

Fi ure 1 is a plan view of a portion of my trea for pneumatic tires, showing the blocks and links; Fig. 2 is an elevation of a art of awheel equipped with the device, w ich is shown partly in section; Fig. 3 is across-section of same taken on line a. a of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the blocks; Fi 5 is a perspective view of one of the 1m s Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a block, showing the flange on the outer end thereof; Fig. 7 is a pian view of a modification of the arrangement of the block's and links; Fig. 8 is a (perspective view of one of the side blocks use in the arrangement shown in Fig. .7.

My invention'consists, essentially, of a series of blocks A, 0 metal or other suitable material, formed su stantially in the manner as shown in the drawings. These blocks are arranged side by side and connected by links B, forming a continuous band which is adapted to be 'placed about a pneumatic vehicle tire of ordinary construction. The blocks A are preferably square and provided with erforation L. Said blocks are also provi ed, on one surface thereof, with the grooves A into which the links B will fit when a series of blocks are connected together. The links B are connected to the looks A in such a manner as to permit the blocks and'links to act freel with relation to each otherto produce the esire flexibility.

The pneumatic tire E may be of ordinary construction and is shown as nidunted upon the rim F of aveh'iole wheel. Greprese nts a section of earth at the point of contact with the tire E. The Weight of the ve icle flattens the tread of the tire considerab y at this point, decreasing the distance between the blocks A, until the same practically touch each other, thus forminga very effective protection for the tire. v

In the construction shown, in Fig. 1 the blocks A are arranged in rows with the edges of the blocks extending longitudinally and transversely of the band and the blocks D of each outside row are provided with downturned flanges K at the outer edges as shown in Figs. Sand 6. In the construction shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the intermediate blocks are arranged with their edges directed,at an angle with the length of the band providing triangular spaces between adjacent blocks in the outer rows. The blocks D forming said outer rows are provided with diverging sides to fit in said triangular spaces which are paral- 'lel from about the center of the aperture L to the outer edge and the outer side is flanged outwardly as before described. The blocks are provided with recesses A, as before described, so that the links on the inner or tread side may be retained in proper 'osition and be approximately flush with t e contacting faces of the blocks.

To put the tread on or off the tire it is only necessary to deflate the tire, then it can be re .dily removed. The pressure of the inflated tire is usually sufficient tohold the tread securely in place.

Slight changes can of course be made in the general form and arrangement of the several parts described, as for instance, such as arranging the blocks A in direct alinement with relation to each' other or upon a bias, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, hence I do not wish to be limited to. the exact construction herein set forth.

What I claim as new and desire to. secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A metallic tread comprising blocks each rovided with a central aperture and recesses in a face of the block extending from said aperture to the edges of the block and links extending through said central a ertures in adjacent blocks and lying in said recesses .ada ting each block to move independently of t e others.

2. In a tread of the class described the combination with blocks provided with central apertures, links extending through the enertures in said blocks and connecting the name in the presence of two subscribing'wit blank? 1x1; moive ingepefndentlg of each othe; nesses. an boo sa a te to ormt eouterrowsoi the tread havi g diverging sides adapted to MILES JOHN 5 fit between; adjacent blocks and having an i Witnesses:

outward fl'zinge on its outer edge. M. SWANSTROUS, In testimony whereof I have signed my I J. H. BIRMINGHAM. 

